Smart Technologies Trade Mission to Hong Kong Slated for April 2017

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration is organising a trade mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan, with an optional stop in Guangzhou (mainland China), focused on smart technologies in the information and communication technology sector. This mission is scheduled for 24-28 April 2017 (the mission will be in Hong Kong for a full day on 26 April and half a day on 27 April) and recruitment will conclude no later than 31 January.

The goal of the mission is to provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information and one-on-one meetings with technology partners in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Guangzhou, including potential agents and distributors of smart technologies, so they can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in those markets. The mission will introduce U.S. suppliers to relevant business partners, industry representatives and government officials to learn about and benefit from various smart city projects and opportunities in these markets. The DOC notes that a 2014 smart city market research report forecast that annual smart city technology investment in the Greater China region will grow from US$1 billion to US$5 billion in 2023. This projection represents only the smart technology part of much larger smart city projects across different industries and sectors, such as smart sensors and metres, dedicated networks, cloud computing platforms, data analytics, integrated systems and applications.

In Hong Kong, participants will meet with pre-screened distributors, corporate representatives, and other business partners and government organisations involved in the promotion of smart technologies. They will also attend market briefings by U.S. Commercial Service and consulate officials as well as round table discussions offering further opportunities to speak with local business and industry decision-makers.

A minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 firms and/or trade associations will be selected to participate in this mission. Each applicant must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on the company’s products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation. Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 percent U.S. content.

In addition, each applicant must (i) certify that the products and services that it wishes to market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations; (ii) certify that it has identified to the DOC for its evaluation any business pending before the department that may present the appearance of a conflict of interest; (iii) certify that it has identified any pending litigation (including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that involves the DOC; and (iv) sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates (1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection with a company’s/participant’s involvement in this mission, and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign officials.